Why I don’t let my kids drink soda
And this goes especially for Mountain Dew. It is total crap because it is chock full of sugar and acid that will literally eat away at your kids’ teeth. Take a look at the experiences of a mobile dentist from Kentucky who drives around Appalachia to help kids who suffer from Mountain Dew Mouth:
It’s a stereotype rooted in a terrible fact. Central Appalachia is No. 1 in the nation in toothlessness. According to dentists, one of the main culprits is Mountain Dew soda. With 50 percent more caffeine than Coke or Pepsi, Mountain Dew seems to be used as a kind of anti-depressant for children in the hills.
Kids drink the soda in school, at football games and before going to bed at night. And drinking the sugary soda loaded with caffeine often starts early. Dentists speak about families who put soda in baby bottles.
“Other sodas, too,” said Smith, “but Mountain Dew is unique because it has a lot of sugar and a lot of acid. If you’re taking a drink every 20 minutes, that’s like bathing the teeth in it all day.”
“It’s just rampant decay,” adds Dr. Stacie Moore-Martin of the Mud Creek Clinic in Grethel, Ky. “People are addicted to Mountain Dew. It’s terrible.”
Eew! Parents put sodas in their babies’ bottles? What the h-e-double chopsticks is wrong with some parents? They’re uneducated and, I’m sorry to say, ignorant. So, what’s the moral of this post? Don’t buy Mountain Dew for your kids! I have at times purchased Diet Mountain Dew for myself, but I won’t do that anymore. The thought of all that acid in my mouth, not to mention going down into my esophagus and my stomach is too much to…stomach. No more Diet Mountain Dew for me.
Pepsi refutes the idea that consumption of Mountain Dew leads to tooth decay, as I’d expect them to:
Pepsi, the makers of Mountain Dew, told ABC News in an initial statement that it’s preposterous to blame soft drinks for dental decay, saying that raisins and cookies stay in the mouth longer. They added that a balanced diet and proper dental hygiene like flossing and brushing teeth after meals and snacks should prevent decay.
After a report on the topic aired on “Good Morning America” Thursday, Pepsi sent an additional statement saying that their products “consumed in moderation, can be part of a healthy, balanced diet.”
I understand that their main concern is selling as much Mountain Dew as possible, and I don’t begrudge them that. But let’s get real. Mountain Dew and other sugary sodas are not healthy for my kids so I will not let them drink any of it. Yes, small amounts won’t hurt them, but I’d rather not even introduce it to them to begin with. So what do they drink instead? Milk. Lots and lots of milk. Little Man and Little Miss Throwsafit drink skim milk while Littlest One drinks soy because he seems to tolerate it so much better than cow’s milk. If I could get goat’s milk easily, I’d buy that for him instead.
Do what’s right for your kids. Say NO to the Dew!
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Um. Yuck. I can’t stand MD and I usually say that I won’t drink something that is the same color going in as it is coming out. But that stuff is just yucky.
Why would someone want to hype their BABY up on caffeine and sugar? Is their drinking water unsafe? That’s not even an excuse. I just don’t get it.
Comment by Heather @ Not a DIY LIfe — February 13, 2009 @ 12:06 pm
Good point about the drinking water. But if you can afford Mountain Dew, you can afford bottled water.
Comment by Kim — February 13, 2009 @ 12:33 pm
Kim,
I can’t STAND Mountain Dew. I have never liked it. Can’t stand the smell. The color. Everything. Ewwww.
That’s interesting about the Kentucky dentist. I’m not surprised. In poor Appalacia, they’re also not very well educated – and good point about being able to afford bottled water if they can get Mountain Dew.
You’re right though – you’re better off not introducing it at all. Unfortunately my kids have all gotten a “taste” of it — and it’s a very special treat. Like may be one small glass every couple weeks with pizza night – and then it’s usually caffeine free. Otherwise, we only drink milk or water — not even juice.
Comment by Kim H. — February 13, 2009 @ 12:50 pm
We watched last night. My MIL, when I met her, had told me not to drink it. She’s a dental hygenist. I always thought she was just being overly cautious. I was shocked and appalled.
But my real question is this: why/how had the one family run out of money for milk and bread and then found enough money to buy Pepsi to put in the two year old’s sippy cup? My heart broke at that point.
Also, a random note, I hadn’t had Mt. Dew for years, not since high school. About two years ago, it was the only option and I was thirsty… and I couldn’t even get through half of the can. It felt like I was drinking syrup. It was disgusting!
Comment by FireMom — February 14, 2009 @ 9:29 am
Many years ago my husband was a ski bum one winter in CO. He filled in as an extra in a Mountain Dew commercial and ended up being the guy that chugs the soda. He had to gulp Dew down all day and felt like his heart was working twice as hard as it needed to after the day of shooting ended. Needless to say, he doesn’t drink Mountain Dew anymore.
Comment by SparkleFrog — February 15, 2009 @ 10:59 pm
I hear ya! I don’t let my kids drink soda either, of any kind, on a regular basis. I keep ginger ale for “medicinal purposes” (it’s great for an upset tummy) but I hide it away from the kids unless it’s needed. They are allowed soda at birthday parties since they don’t go to very many of them, but they’ll take lemonade or fruit punch if it’s offered instead. We’re mostly water drinkers around here; my son and I like seltzer water, my daughters drink filtered tap water, and my husband is the exception since he drinks mainly hot tea.
There was a 20/20 special (or one of those news magazines) about the problems in Appalachia and they also interviewed a dentist who said the same thing about the Mountain Dew. It’s so sad.
Comment by Kim — March 13, 2009 @ 11:37 pm